Jimmy Scott

Jimmy Scott (born James Victor Scott, July 17, 1925 – June 12, 2014) was an American jazz vocalist known for his haunting, intimate ballad style and an unmistakable high, delicate voice—a result of Kallmann syndrome, a condition that prevented his voice from deepening at puberty. He got his start singing in church as a kid in Cleveland and broke through in the 1940s and ’50s, including a stint with Lionel Hampton’s band and a celebrated appearance on Charlie Parker’s 1949 recording of “Embraceable You.”

After years of label and career setbacks that kept him out of the spotlight, Scott made a remarkable late-life comeback in the 1990s, earning new fans and major critical praise with albums like *All the Way* and *Heaven*. In his later years he became a cult-favorite icon—respected by musicians across genres—for the emotional honesty and quiet power he brought to standards, making even the most familiar songs feel deeply personal.

Genres

Vocal Jazz

Jazz

Related Artists

Norah Jones

Billie Holiday

Nat King Cole

Nina Simone

Sam Cooke

Louis Armstrong

Melody Gardot

Gregory Porter

Lianne La Havas

Dinah Washington

Johnny Hartman

Carmen McRae

Latest Release

Falling In Love Is Wonderful (2026 Remaster)

Jimmy Scott

Album - 10 Tracks - Released April 17, 2026